43rd largest plant in Tennessee · 3970th nationally
South Holston is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 38.5 MW. It generates roughly 94.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 9,012 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 28% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | South Holston |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| City | Bristol |
| County | Sullivan County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37602 |
| Coordinates | 36.52317, -82.09021 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 38.5 MW | Operating | 1951 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Tennessee Valley Authority |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.